A single memory...
Standing atop a mountain of corpses made entirely of blood, he held the Holy Grail, his expression hollow.
Is this really the wish-granting machine that can fulfill anything? Hahaha…a wish-granting machine? What a joke.
It's just a clump of magical energy—a worthless broken cup! Wishes, dreams, fulfillment…it's all nonsense! It can't even alter history already set by the world!
At that thought, his face filled with murderous fury. Behind him, tendrils of blood began to coil around the Holy Grail.
Is it fun to toy with me? From the very beginning until now, everything was nothing but illusions! All I ever wanted…was just to bring her back. No matter the method…
What use is this magical power, this strength, if it can't achieve that one wish?
"Lau…"
A voice from beside him interrupted his actions. Hearing it, his movements froze, and he fell weakly to his knees.
"We were both wrong… Hahaha, we were both wrong. The Holy Grail…it's just an illusion. It has no wish-granting power at all."
"Laurent…give up. No one can change the history that's already happened. Not even the Holy Grail can reverse the past."
He curled up in pain, trembling.
"Kill me… Just let me die quietly, before I truly want to annihilate everyone in this world. I hate them…I hate this world…I hate everything."
...
Back to the present, the air filled with palpable tension as the five enemy Servants stared down Laurent's group.
Laurent could clearly feel Jeanne Alter's undisguised rage directed at him.
Why's she so angry at me, anyway? She clearly doesn't remember me, yet still feels anger toward me?
Just as hostility peaked and conflict seemed imminent, a delicate glass rose suddenly appeared before them.
"This scene truly lacks elegance!" A pleasant female voice rang out sharply. "Whether it's the state of this city or your fighting methods, your ideas and goals—all of them are utterly disappointing."
Everyone reflexively turned toward the newcomer.
Standing there was a beautiful woman with long white hair, wearing a large mushroom-shaped crown.
The moment she appeared, Laurent felt as though he was seeing an idol from his previous life. Her radiance was blinding, her presence alone enough to draw everyone's eyes.
So this is the classic heroic-ally-appears-to-save-the-day scenario? Laurent's mouth twitched slightly.
No, no, even without you, we could've escaped easily. Actually, that was exactly what we'd planned to do.
But the woman seemed unaware of his internal mockery, staring firmly at Jeanne Alter.
"I know who you are and how powerful and terrifying you are. Frankly, this is the most frightening encounter I've ever had—it makes me tremble just standing here. Yet, even so, as long as you threaten this country, I'll gladly abandon dignity itself to fight you!"
Berserker Saber's expression flickered slightly upon seeing her. "Queen Marie Antoinette…"
Laurent blinked. Marie Antoinette?
He vaguely remembered the name from history. But honestly, the details were fuzzy by now.
This world is definitely strange. Never mind that Jeanne herself was unbelievably beautiful—now every figure appearing here is either absurdly handsome or beautiful.
Maybe the history he learned was all wrong.
Meanwhile, Jeanne Alter was still exchanging verbal blows with the newly arrived woman. Laurent had stopped caring.
He wasn't some important figure, and grandiose ideas like honor didn't appeal to him. He only cared about protecting his own. Let these important people bicker among themselves about honor or pride or whatever.
"Jeanne, let's find a chance to escape. This woman's probably here to buy us some time."
Laurent leaned close, whispering softly to Jeanne. But in the very next moment, he heard words that ignited instant fury in him.
"I will have that woman over there—and the Jeanne whose entire existence is clear and straightforward—submit both her unfathomable heart and body to me!"
"Hah?! What the hell did you just say?!" Laurent instantly jumped protectively in front of Jeanne, glaring warily at this woman who'd suddenly appeared and seemed suspiciously interested in women.
When Laurent glanced back at Jeanne, her face was already flushed, looking slightly dazed.
"…Huh…?" Laurent turned monochrome with shock.
"You and I are now mortal enemies, woman! I don't know who you are, but remember this clearly: we have a feud now!"
Whirling around, Laurent angrily pointed his sword at Marie, his voice trembling with outrage.
"Don't think your cheap seduction will work on her! It definitely won't! Jeanne, back me up here!"
Laurent turned back hopefully, but Jeanne, still dazed, couldn't find the right words.
"…Eh…?"
"Oh no, it failed terribly—please don't misunderstand!" Marie hastily explained. "I only meant that you'll bow before me, the queen!"
Laurent stood frozen for a moment, then quickly pulled Jeanne several steps back.
"I'm now officially labeling you as a perverted, sadistic yuri woman! You're a woman yourself—why would you pursue other women?! Besides, she's my wife!"
This entire exchange had darkened Jeanne Alter's expression completely.
"Enough! This farce ends now!" she shouted coldly. "Kill all of them! Even without you, I alone am enough for revenge! Kill them!"
At her command, the five enemy Servants attacked simultaneously.
Laurent clicked his tongue in annoyance. This newly arrived woman had completely disrupted his escape plan. But, at this point, he could only adapt to the circumstances—he just needed to bring along an extra person.
"[IDEAL ENDING]!"
His blood surged forth, expanding rapidly into a vivid, illusory landscape to buy time. Without any hesitation, Laurent swiftly swept Jeanne into his arms, princess-carrying her away.
As for the others…
If they have even a shred of intelligence, they'll follow immediately!
Anyway, Laurent had no intention of directly clashing with Jeanne Alter until he learned the full truth.
But if her Servants continued pursuing them, well…that would be a different matter entirely.
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